Capital Region News

Updates on Upstate Casino Proposals

by 810 & 103.1 WGY News

A development team is ending its bid to build a casino on the Hudson River in Rensselaer, near the Amtrak Station, to focus on its plan in Orange County.

Cordish Companies and Penn National Gaming are announcing a refund request of the $1 million application fee for the Rensselaer proposal. The two companies say their best chance to be awarded one of the four coveted upstate licenses is in Orange County. The number of casino proposals now stands at 19.

Up to four casinos are authorized for three regions. Applicants have until June 30 to submit final proposals.

Meantime, tonight in East Greenbush, there’s a meeting for those against the East Greenbush casino. Les Bernal, a nationally-renowned casino gambling expert of the "Stop Predatory Gambling Foundation," will speak at the First Methodist Church on Gilligan Road at 7 p.m.

And Wednesday night, May 28, the Bethlehem Town Board said no to a casino, the “E-23.” The board passed a resolution opposing it, which is near the town line. Prior to last night's vote, over 20 people spoke against the plan. Only one spoke in favor of it.